You must have heard your mother or grandmother hyping up the potential of hair oils for silky smooth hair and hair growth. They were never wrong! Natural Oils play a very significant role in the world of natural hair care. The power of oils can unlock your hair’s full potential and give you the smooth hair look you always deserve.
In this blog, we’ll explore the 15 best oils for hair growth that will give you hair that is healthy, strong, and shiny. So, you can now style your healthy hair perfectly by just saying goodbye to harsh chemicals and hello to the magic of Mother Nature.
A Closer Look at the Essential Oils for Hair Growth & Health
For generations, people have utilized essential oils to encourage hair growth and maintain the health of their hair. These concentrated plant extracts have effective natural qualities that can strengthen hair follicles, hydrate the scalp, and encourage hair growth. Many scientific studies have also suggested that certain essential oils really help in boosting hair growth.
One of the studies also stated that Peppermint oil “showed the most prominent hair growth effects; a significant increase in dermal thickness, follicle number, and follicle depth”. And there are such several studies that discuss the positive effects of different essential oils.
Tea tree oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, and lavender oil are some of the most often used essential oils for hair growth and maintenance. However, it’s crucial to properly dilute and combine essential oils with carrier oils, such as coconut oil or jojoba oil when utilizing them to promote hair growth and health. This will lessen the chance of allergic or irritating reactions on the scalp.
There are several ways in which essential oils help in hair growth not just limited to moisturizing the scalp, reducing inflammation, stimulating hair follicles, and improving hair texture.
15 Best Oils To Boost Hair Growth
1. Coconut Oil
There has been a lot of research on fatty coconut oil and its health benefits for hair, skin, and body. The presence of essential fatty acids and vitamins in coconut oil help improve hair and scalp health by removing sebum build-ups and nourishing hair. It also helps add shine to your hair, protect hair from damage, and repair hair tissues and damaged scalp.
You can warm the coconut oil and give your hair a good message. Let it absorb in your scalp by leaving it for 20-30 minutes, and then wash your hair with your favorite shampoo.
2. Ylang-Ylang
Ylang-Ylang comes under the 5 best oils for hair growth. It has many therapeutic benefits and is ideal for dry scalp. Its uses range from sedative to antidepressant and antiseptic hair oil. The oil helps in treating hair loss, acts as a natural conditioner, and also helps repel head lice.
You can mix 5 drops of Ylang-Ylang oil with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and apply the warm mixture over your scalp. Wrap a towel and leave it for half an hour and then wash your hair thoroughly with a good shampoo
3. Thyme
Thyme oil is a well-known fast hair growth oil as it promotes hair growth by both stimulating the scalp and preventing hair loss. It contains a number of healthy fats and vitamins A, C, B-6, and D that can effectively make your hair beautiful and strong.
You can massage thyme oil on your scalp or mix it with any carrier oil before applying. Leave it for 30-60 minutes and then rinse your hair with shampoo and water to get rid of oil and smell.
4. Cedarwood Oil
Cedarwood oil is a highly effective hair oil for preventing hair loss. This oil acts as an effective treatment for alopecia areata as well as enhancing circulation to the scalp, which means better follicles and stronger hair.
To apply, just mix a few drops of Cedarwood oil with any carrier oil and massage your scalp. Leave the mixture for 10-15 minutes, then wash your hair properly.
5. Clary Sage Essential Oil
If you are looking for the best natural oil for hair growth, then Clary Sage is indeed one of the best options. It helps stimulate hair growth, improves blood circulation, prevents hair loss, and helps scalp healing.
For best results, you can mix 3 drops of Clary Sage oil in your conditioner and rinse it out after 2-3 minutes.
6. Bergamot oil
Bergamot oil is an extraction of bergamot orange and has become popular for softening hair and overcoming its dullness and dryness. It also helps overcome scalp inflammation and reduce hair loss.
Since it’s an essential oil, you have to mix 1-2 drops with any carrier oil and then massage it on your scalp. You can also leave it overnight and thoroughly wash your scalp the next day.
7. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba is rich in vitamins like C, B, and E as well as minerals like zinc and copper. Because of its richness, the oil helps strengthen your hair and prevent hair loss, known to be one of the best oils for growth and thickness.
You can directly apply this oil to your scalp after warming it up a little. Leave it for around 20-25 minutes, and then wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner.
. 8. Almond Oil
Almond oil has been known for its hair benefits for decades. It promotes hair growth, treats scalp conditions, and reactivates dormant hair follicles. It also has essential fatty acids to moisturize your scalp and soften your hair.
Add half a tablespoon of almond oil to any of your favorite carrier oil and massage your scalp with it. Leave it for some time, and then rinse your hair.
9. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is best known for improving hair quality and texture. It is extracted from the seeds of grapes and reduces hair loss, protects hair against UV damage, strengthens brittle hair, and is known as a natural remedy for baldness.
You can apply its small amount on damp hair as well as mix it with your conditioner to wash hair.
10. Castor Oil
If you are looking for one of the best hair oils recommended by doctors for growth, then you must go for castor oil. Many experts suggest it as it increases blood flow to the scalp and moisturizes hair. Moreover, applying castor oil can increase hair growth by 5 times.
It is recommended to dilute castor oil with coconut or jojoba oil before its application. You can use Jamaican castor oil for the best results.
11. Olive Oil
If you are looking for instant healthy hair, Olive oil may be the best choice. It is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants and is used for its amazing benefits, like hair nourishing and conditioning, reducing DHT production, and reducing hair breakage.
Take a little amount in your hands and rub it between your palms to warm it a little. Apply over the scalp and wear a shower cap so that it soaks in your scalp. After that, you can take a shower with your best available shampoo.
12. Peppermint Oil
Using peppermint essential oil is one of the safest and best hair growth remedies. It helps promote hair growth during the anagen phase and helps in increasing follicle numbers and their depth.
Apply about a tablespoon of oil to your scalp and massage thoroughly. You can leave it for 20-30 minutes and then wash your scalp with a mild shampoo.
13. Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary oil is best when it comes to hair growth, specifically the growth of curly hair. It improves hair thickness, nourishes hair, and is a great choice because of its better cellular generation ability.
Use 4-5 drops but not more than that, and apply it to your scalp with the help of a dropper. Massage your scalp gently to let it absorb, and then wash your hair and style them as you want.
14. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil helps your hair in a myriad of ways. Aside from its gorgeous smell, it helps in strengthening hair, promoting a healthy scalp, and hair nourishment, and gives a soothing feel.
You can dilute lavender oil with the help of any carrier oil for direct application or mix 2-3 drops in your shampoo to rinse your hair.
15. Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil is one of the best options when it comes to natural hair growth or growth of 4c hair. It helps fight against dandruff, improves the overall scalp, and makes your hair longer and thicker.
For application, just dilute the tree oil with any carrier oil and then apply it over your scalp. Leave the mixture for 5 minutes, and then rinse your hair.
An Extract Oil Alternative
There are several natural oil alternatives that are believed to promote hair growth, including horsetail plant extract oil.
Horsetail Plant Extract Oil
Horsetail plant stems, which are abundant in minerals like silica and selenium as well as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory chemicals, are used to make horsetail extract oil.
When applied directly to the scalp, Horsetail extract oil helps to strengthen hair follicles, lessen hair loss and breakage, and encourage the growth of new hair.
Risks and Potential Complications
While essential oils are popularly used for promoting hair growth, there are several risks and potential complications that they can cause:
- Skin irritation as they are highly concentrated. That’s the reason we discussed diluting them throughout the blog.
- Some people are sensitive to essential oils.
- Overuse or incorrect use of essential oils can even cause hair damage.
- Some essential oils can also interact with medications.
- Do not use them during pregnancy as they can lead to miscarriage.
FAQs about essential oils for hair growth & health
Which oil is best for fast hair growth?
There are a number of hair oils that are used to promote hair growth and make them healthy. Some of the well-known among many others are Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Rosemary essential oil, Thyme, Jojoba Oil, Cedarwood Oil, and Lavender Oil.
Which is better, coconut oil or jojoba oil for hair?
Both coconut oil and jojoba oil have benefits for hair, but which is best for you will depend on your particular hair needs and type.
Coconut oil is good for hydrating and nourishing hair because it is high in fatty acids and has antibacterial qualities. It is especially helpful for people with frizzy, dry, or damaged hair.
Jojoba oil, on the other hand, is a thin oil that resembles the natural oils secreted by the scalp in composition. For those with oily hair or a dry, itchy scalp, it can help control oil production and is easily absorbed by the hair and scalp.
Is vitamin E oil good for hair?
Vitamin E is an important nutrient for the health of your hair, skin, and nails. The majority of claims regarding vitamin E’s benefits for healthy hair revolve around its antioxidant abilities. These emphasize the notion that it can lessen cell damage and promote hair growth.